Fiji warned of ‘tired old faces’

The leader of the Fiji regime Frank Bainimarama has again cautioned people about voting for what he calls the “tired old faces” of Fiji politics.

He was speaking to students at the opening of a new computer centre at Lami High School.

Rear Admiral Bainimarama is fighting the September 17 election as leader of the newly registered FijiFirst party.

According to Fiji Live, the regime leader says people should be cautious because the politicians of old want to throw the country into reverse.

He described them as a coalition of hypocrites who want to wind back the clock on his government’s reforms.

Bainimarama said it was time to say “yes” to a new era of unity, stability and consistency.

The Citizens Constitutional Forum in Fiji is urging politicians to clearly outline their policies on the controversial issue of land before September’s election.

The CCF’s head Reverend Akuila Yabaki says land has been an underlying issue in Fiji’s coups, and many people have expressed concern about the loss of iTaukei control over land set out in the 2013 Constitution.

He says just three months out from the election, the issue has hardly been touched by political parties, and politicians must start talking with their supporters and relevant stakeholders.

“We are encouraging politicians to start engaging with the landlords and tenants, the iTaukei Land Trust Board.

“We need some clearly researched proposals so that we can find solutions, as the history of land issues in this country is having an effect of instilling fear and creating uncertainty among land owners and tenants.”

Reverend Yabaki says the CCF plans to run a forum, with all political leaders present, to come up with collaborative solutions.